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Alsa Bus to Pamplona & on to SJPDP

Active Member

Hello! I have decided to take the Alsa bus from MAD Barajas T4 to Pamplona, then on to SJPDP. I am arriving at MAD on August 14th at 7:55 am from Boston. My question is where should I get off to make the connection from Pamplona to SJPDP. Would that be the Estacion de Autobuses in Pamplona? I am taking the 17:30 bus from Pamplona to SJPDP. I have emailed Alsa, but received no response. Also, another poster told me that Conda was a better choice, since you don't need to change buses from MAD to Pamplona. So, I'm a bit confused. Any help from someone with experience taking this route will be appreciated.

Thank you so much! So, the bus from MAD will terminate at the bus station in Pamplona & I can catch the SJPDP from that same station? Does the bus to SJPDP arrive at Gare de Saint Jean Pied de Port? I am hoping to find lodging near where I arrive, since I am getting in late.

Active Member

Good morning @barryg, I am the one who said that Conda may be the better choice, not understanding that Conda is actually a part of Alsa. I just pretended to buy a ticket on Conda and was directed to Alsa. On the Alsa schedules there is a button to click for Itinerary and there is indeed a change in Soria.

I am one of those who can get caught up in over thinking things, who wants to know every detail of what to expect. For me part of walking the Camino was an exercise in learning to let go of some of that. We do want to know where we will be the first night or two but after that some of the very best experiences are totally unexpected.

Another aspect for me was learning to be self reliant after seeing how other people affect my choices and behavior.

All of the planning that you are doing now is a part of your journey. Enjoy it! Buen Camino!

I usually don’t worry so much because I usually travel alone. This time I’m bringing my wife & she hates traveling, so I just want everything to go smoothly. I’m afraid of missing my connection to SJPDP in Pamplona, but I shouldn’t worry? How about making reservations for lodging in SJPDP? Usually I just show up & find a room. How do you feel about us winging that? The welcome office is apparently open until the busses & trains stop arriving. Thanks so much for your post (and the other one, which I’ll find later.

Active Member

I usually don’t worry so much because I usually travel alone. This time I’m bringing my wife & she hates traveling, so I just want everything to go smoothly. I’m afraid of missing my connection to SJPDP in Pamplona, but I shouldn’t worry? How about making reservations for lodging in SJPDP? Usually I just show up & find a room. How do you feel about us winging that? The welcome office is apparently open until the busses & trains stop arriving. Thanks so much for your post (and the other one, which I’ll find later.

@barryg , thank you for sharing something about your anxiety in planning. I hope that your wife sees and appreciates your efforts to make this a meaningful experience for you both. There are bound to be "glitches" along the way, do not let them dishearten you. Buen Camino to you both!

From all that I have been reading, definitely do have reservations in SJPdP and for the next few days. How about hiding a special snack or favorite Cliff Bar in your pack to bring out to share when you both might need a "pick me up". Three years ago dark chocolate chipotle almonds were a huge help in getting my daughter and me over the Pyrenees.

Veteran Member

I usually don’t worry so much because I usually travel alone. This time I’m bringing my wife & she hates traveling, so I just want everything to go smoothly. I’m afraid of missing my connection to SJPDP in Pamplona, but I shouldn’t worry? How about making reservations for lodging in SJPDP? Usually I just show up & find a room. How do you feel about us winging that? The welcome office is apparently open until the busses & trains stop arriving. Thanks so much for your post (and the other one, which I’ll find later.